RateHawk, a global online B2B platform for booking hotels, air tickets, and transfers, has introduced a rail travel booking service on its platform that will enable travel agents, operators, and other industry professionals to book rail tickets across various European destinations.

Under a new agreement with Rail Europe, the global reference brand for European train booking. The new service complements the existing travel options already available on RateHawk, which include accommodation, flights, car rentals, and transfers.

The launch of the rail service allows RateHawk’s partners to book all travel components within a single system.

Rail tickets are available across 13 European countries including France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the UK, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria.

Fredrik Bonnalt, Head of Non-Accommodation Supply at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company, said: “Rail travel offers great opportunities for our partners' businesses, enabling them to meet customer needs and attract new clients.

“Travel agents and professionals can now offer hotel stays with rail tickets, providing a sustainable travel option. Plus, the journey itself can be a memorable experience, with exciting routes available on RateHawk, including the stunning Bernina Express and Glacier Express trips.”

"The launch of our rail product coincides with the start of the autumn business season, and we expect strong demand from Travel Management Companies (TMCs) booking business trips for their clients.

“Rail transportation is widely recognized as the most environmentally friendly option, and with many companies prioritising carbon footprint reduction and incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives into their corporate travel programs, our TMC partners can greatly benefit from this new booking service," added Bonnalt.

An advantage of the new launch is its intuitive and convenient interface, which allows travel professionals to compare rail ticket options for the entire day in a single window.

This feature streamlines the process for travel agents, allowing them to quickly filter options based on client preferences and easily select the best choices for their clients.

Travel professionals will have the flexibility to book trips using various payment methods, including payments by card, wire transfer, credit limit or overpayments, or by pay-by-link options.

A particularly important feature for travel professionals is the ability to book railway tickets using their credit limit.

Rail Europe's product portfolio features leading railway carriers across Europe, including Italo in Italy, Renfe and Iryo in Spain, SBB CFF FFS and Rhätische Bahn in Switzerland, ÖBB in Austria, TGV InOui in France, Rail Delivery Group in the UK, Eurostar in France, the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as RegioJet in the Czech Republic.

“We have ambitious plans to expand the railway service and are seeking collaborations with rail ticket suppliers both in Europe and across other continents," said Bonnalt.

Björn Bender, CEO of Rail Europe, said: "We are excited to collaborate with RateHawk to make rail travel more accessible to travel professionals around the world.

“This dynamic partnership reflects our shared commitment to offering seamless travel solutions through advanced technology.

“At Rail Europe, we believe train travel is the best way to explore Europe — not only for its efficiency but also for its positive environmental impact. I have great confidence in RateHawk’s vision and capacity to promote rail, and together, we hope to shift travel preferences toward more sustainable options.

“By empowering travel agents with the best tools to integrate rail services, we aim to make every journey a memorable experience for travellers."

Phocuswright’s 2024 data shows that rail gross bookings have grown steadily year over year, reaching $112 million in 2022, $147 million in 2023, and a projected $165 million in 2024.

The global research firm also highlights an 18 percentage point increase in online rail penetration between 2019 and 2023, driven by key factors such as technological advancements and the environmental benefits of rail, which offers a lower carbon footprint compared to other modes of transportation.

RateHawk boasts more than 2.6 million accommodations worldwide from over 280 suppliers, including over 100,000 directly contracted properties. In addition to accommodation, the B2B platform also offers flights from over 400 airlines, transfers in 150 countries, car rentals, and more. – TradeArabia News Service